Verizon Gives $50,000 to American Red Cross in Support of Harrisburg and Other Midwest Tornado Victims

CARBONDALE, Ill., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Verizon Foundation is donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross to assist residents of southern Illinois and others in the Midwest struck by the tornadoes that devastated families and businesses.

The contribution is intended to provide immediate help to people who are dealing with the aftermath of clean-up efforts as officials continue to make damage assessments across the nation.

Verizon Wireless also continues to offer local assistance at a Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer location, Homestead Electronics in Harrisburg. Homestead Electronics is offering customers Internet access and device charging stations to remain connected during the recovery.

"When a disaster of this magnitude hits a community, the need for reliable communications is more important than ever," said Brendan Fallis, president –Kansas/Missouri Region, Verizon Wireless.

"We have committed our resources to efforts taking place in areas most affected by the recent tornadoes and will continue to provide the most reliable communications network in the nation to local individuals and businesses as they begin the process of rebuilding."

Verizon Wireless has also implemented a nationwide mobile giving program for customers looking for a simple way to contribute to relief and recovery efforts following the devastation in the Midwest and Southeast.

Customers can use their mobile phones to make $10 donations to a variety of nonprofit organizations responding to the tornado and the needs of local citizens in the aftermath, including American Red Cross Relief and The Salvation Army. Customers simply text the specific word to the organization's designated short code:

American Red Cross Relief -- Text "REDCROSS" to 90999

The Salvation Army -- Text "STORM" to 80888

World Vision, Inc. -- Text "WV" to 20222

Verizon Wireless always waives text-messaging fees for disaster relief and 100 percent of each donation goes to the relief organization.

For Verizon Wireless customers who pay monthly bills, the $10 donations will appear on the next regular monthly bill. For customers using the company's prepaid services, the $10 donation will be taken from customers' prepaid balance.

Homestead Electronics is located at 618 N. Commercial in Harrisburg. The store is open 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday and from 12 - 5 p.m. on Sunday. The store phone number is (618) 253-4800.

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